Vestibular Physiotherapy in Edmonton: Common Causes of Dizziness, Vertigo & Balance Problems

Vestibular Physiotherapy in Edmonton may be considered for people experiencing dizziness, vertigo, balance difficulties, or sensitivity to movement. These symptoms may affect daily activities such as walking, turning the head, getting out of bed, exercising, or moving through crowded and visually busy environments.

Dizziness can have different causes, so understanding the symptoms and receiving an appropriate assessment may help determine whether vestibular physiotherapy is suitable.

What Is Vestibular Physiotherapy?

Vestibular physiotherapy focuses on movement, balance, dizziness, and concerns associated with the vestibular system. The vestibular system is located in the inner ear and works with your eyes, muscles, and brain to help maintain balance and understand changes in body position.

A physiotherapy assessment may include questions about your symptoms along with balance, walking, eye, head, and movement activities. Based on the findings, treatment may include exercises and education suited to your individual needs.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV, is a common cause of short episodes of vertigo. Symptoms may occur when changing head position, such as rolling over in bed, sitting up, bending forward, or looking upward.

If an assessment is consistent with BPPV, positional techniques may be considered. Your physiotherapist may also provide information about movements and activities related to your symptoms.

Vestibular Neuritis

Vestibular neuritis may affect the vestibular nerve and may result in dizziness, imbalance, nausea, and difficulty with movement.

After the initial symptoms, some people may continue to experience unsteadiness or sensitivity to movement. Vestibular Rehabilitation Physiotherapy may include balance exercises, gaze stabilization activities, and gradual movement exercises based on assessment findings.

Labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is an inner-ear condition that may cause dizziness or vertigo and may also involve hearing-related symptoms.

Because dizziness and hearing changes may have several possible causes, appropriate medical assessment may be important. Physiotherapy may be considered when the assessment indicates that it is suitable.

Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness

Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness, or PPPD, involves ongoing dizziness or unsteadiness that may become more noticeable when standing, walking, moving, or being exposed to visually busy environments.

Depending on the assessment, vestibular rehabilitation may include balance activities, movement exercises, and gradual exposure to situations that increase symptoms.

Balance Difficulties

Balance problems may occur for many reasons. Vestibular changes may contribute, but vision, muscle strength, neurological conditions, medications, and other health concerns may also affect balance.

A physiotherapy assessment may help identify movement and balance factors that could be addressed through exercise and education. Referral to another healthcare professional may also be appropriate depending on the findings.

Motion Sensitivity

Motion sensitivity may cause dizziness or discomfort when turning the head, travelling in a vehicle, watching moving objects, or walking through visually complex environments.

Vestibular physiotherapy may include controlled eye, head, and body movements. These activities may be adjusted based on your symptoms and tolerance.

Migraine-Related Vestibular Symptoms

Some people may experience dizziness, motion sensitivity, or balance concerns associated with migraine. These symptoms may occur with or without a headache.

Because migraine-related dizziness may have different presentations, assessment by an appropriate healthcare professional may help determine suitable next steps. Vestibular physiotherapy may be considered when appropriate.

How Vestibular Rehabilitation Physiotherapy May Help

Depending on your assessment, Vestibular Rehabilitation Physiotherapy may include:

• Balance exercises

• Gaze stabilization activities

• Eye and head movement exercises

• Walking and movement activities

• Positional techniques for appropriate cases of BPPV

• Gradual exposure to movement-related activities

• Education about managing symptoms and daily activities

The exercises used may vary from person to person. Your physiotherapist may adjust the approach according to your symptoms, physical abilities, and assessment findings.

When Should You Consider Vestibular Physiotherapy?

If dizziness, vertigo, or balance problems are affecting your daily activities, speaking with a healthcare professional may be a useful first step.

An assessment may help identify factors that could be contributing to your symptoms and whether vestibular physiotherapy is appropriate. New, sudden, severe, or unusual symptoms may require medical evaluation.

Vestibular Physiotherapy Edmonton

Dizziness and balance concerns may have different causes, so an appropriate assessment is an important part of choosing a suitable treatment approach.

If you are searching for Vestibular Physiotherapy Edmonton, Turning Point Physiotherapy provides assessment and physiotherapy services for people experiencing vestibular, balance, and movement-related concerns.

Learn more about Vestibular Physiotherapy in Edmonton and how Vestibular Rehabilitation Physiotherapy may be incorporated into an individualized physiotherapy approach.